Cupertino Elections Info

General Municipal Elections are held in November of even numbered years. The elected officers of the City of Cupertino consist of five Council members who are elected "at large" to overlapping four-year terms. The offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor are filled annually by election of the Council members.

NOVEMBER 2014 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

A General Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 4 to elect three Council members each to a four-year term. Under Cupertino's term limits, Council members Barry Chang and Mark Santoro are eligible to run for one additional four-year term. Council member Orrin Mahoney has served two consecutive four-year terms and is not eligible to run. Anyone who is 18 years of age, a Cupertino resident, and a registered voter in the City of Cupertino may run for a seat on the City Council.

NOMINATION PERIOD

The nomination period for the November 4 election begins July 14 at 7:30 a.m. and closes August 8 at 4:30 p.m. During this time, Nomination Papers may be issued to eligible candidates by the City Clerk during regular business hours. Cupertino City Hall regular business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Candidates have until the end of the nomination period to withdraw their Nomination Papers.

If an incumbent fails to file Nomination Papers for his office by August 8 at 4:30 p.m., the nomination period will be extended by five days to August 13 at 5:30 p.m. During this time, any eligible candidate except the incumbent(s) may file Nomination Papers during regular business hours as noted above. Candidates would also have the opportunity to withdraw Nomination Papers during the extension.

The Role of the City Clerk

The Cupertino City Clerk oversees the election process, with particular emphasis on required candidate filings. This includes Nomination Papers, Statements of Economic Interest (also known as Conflict of Interest Statements), and Campaign Finance Disclosure forms. You may view the campaign disclosures online or purchase copies at 10 cents per page from the Cupertino City Clerk.

Prior to soliciting or receiving campaign contributions, a candidate must file a Form 501, Candidate Intention Statement, with the City Clerk. The form is available at the City Clerk's Office or can be downloaded from the Fair Political Practices Commission website. If you suspect a violation of campaign ethics, please contact them at 800.561.1861.

Staff at Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s office today held a randomized alphabet drawing to determine the order that candidates’ names will appear on the November 4 General Election ballot. http://www.sos.ca.gov/press-releases/2014/db14-060.htm.

If the names of two or more candidates begin with the same letter, their ballot listing order is determined by applying the randomized alphabet to the next letter(s) of their names.

For more information call the City Clerk's Office at 408.777.3223, send an email to cityclerk@cupertino.org, or visit City Hall in person at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino.

Information for Voters

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters web site provides County-wide, on-line information about voter registration, candidates' statements, and ballot measures. That office has paid positions available year-round for poll workers. For more information visit www.sccvote.org or call 408.299.VOTE (8683).

The last day to register to vote in the June 3, 2014 Primary Election is May 19, and the last day to register to vote in the November 4, 2014 General Election is October 6. You must re-register if you have moved since you last voted.